Speaking in Seattle Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP was
critical of the British Government's handling of the Good Friday
Agreement and of the issues within it, which have yet to be
resolved. He described the approach of the British government as
one of creating as much as managing crises. Mr. Adams said:

``The British Government approach to the Good Friday Agreement has
created the difficulties over policing and demilitarisation and
other aspects of the Agreement. The situation within unionism
has been exacerbated and sustained in part by the British
attitude.

``At the same time Mr. Blair's approach outlined at Weston Park to
rectify the anomaly over OTRs has been seized upon by the Tories
and others to attack the Blair government. This matter should
have been sorted out long before now and the way it has been
allowed to fester has played into the hands of opponents of the
Agreement.

``There is a lack of joined up government on all of these matters
and the approach by London has been one of creating as much as
managing crisis.

``This attitude has been compounded by a tendency of the British
government to pander to unionism or to interests within its own
system. This is at the root of John Reid's recent u-turn on the
symbols on court buildings and the refusal to proceed with
inquests.

``The period ahead will see the commencement of the unionist
marching season. Mr. Trimble's recent remarks have given us a
taste of what is likely to be echoed from other platforms.

``No one should be in any doubt that there has been great progress
made in Ireland or that the process will continue to move
forward. At the same time there should be no doubt that this
could be achieved with less problems for everyone and in a more
sustained and stabilising way if Tony Blair's government applied
itself to fully implementing all aspects of the Good Friday
Agreement.

``The British government is as much a part of the Agreement as
anyone else. London is not a referee. Neither is the British
government neutral. It is a player. And it has to play by the
Good Friday Agreement rules.''